Mike sits down with Jewelers for Children Executive Director, Sarah Murphy, and board member Ross Wesdorp to unpack how the jewelry industry has donated over $66 million to help kids through nine trusted nonprofit partners. We talk through what makes Facets at JCK Las Vegas so effective, why JFC runs lean with a working board, and how small, repeatable giving tools like Roundup can turn everyday purchases into real impact. 

Learn more: https://jewelersforchildren.org/

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We talk with Elle Hill of Hill & Co about what really breaks and what finally clicks when a jewelry business scales beyond founder-led hustle. She shares hard-earned lessons from building Plukka, advising global brands, and pushing the jewelry industry toward data, systems, and operational AI. 

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We take a break from shop talk and relive a two-day Kentucky Bourbon Trail run built around IJO and RJO shows, with Ross Cockerham and Jim Messier sharing how it came together, the spots they stopped out, and the friends they made along the way. They trade notes on distilleries, tastings, and the small traditions that turn a fun trip into lasting jewelry industry friendships. 

Learn more about this event: https://www.punchmark.com/blog/events-conferences/ijo-bourbon-trail-excursion

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Mike sits down with Hope Bellair, Digital Marketing Manager at Punchmark, to get real about why Q4 marketing feels stressful and why starting in August is often the difference between getting seen and getting drowned out. We share a practical plan for jewelry store holiday marketing, from Meta ads and email strategy to SMS and event tactics that actually drive people into the store.

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We sit down with Steven Lerche, President of Goldstar and the Plumb Club, to unpack how a supplier-led group builds real connection across the jewelry and watch supply chain. We talk JCK, innovation, responsible sourcing, and why a shared mindset can beat a zero-sum approach in a fast-changing market.

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Mike is solo this week while everyone’s at RJO and IJO, so he's running through five jewelry industry topics that have been on his mind. I talk about faster fulfillment through dropshipping, the real-world ripple effects of tariffs, and why seemingly small website choices can make or break sales. 

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Mike sits down with outgoing AGS president Alexis Padis and incoming president Bryan Moeller to talk about what a smooth leadership handoff really takes and why education, ethics, and consumer protection keep the organization aligned. 

We also discuss the upcoming AGS Conclave, the pressures reshaping jewelry retail, and how independent jewelers can earn trust with today’s hyper-informed customers. 

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Mike talks with Peter Smith about why selling stays “Essentially Human” even as AI and short-form content reshape how people pay attention. Along the way, we pull practical lessons from stories about music, used cars, pricing, and resilience that help you sell with more clarity and less anxiety.

Learn more about Stratus Estate Buyers: stratusestatebuyers.com

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The marketing world moves FAST, which is why Michael checked-in with Digital Marketing Manager at Punchmark, Hope Bellair, to ask if these 10 Digital Marketing techniques still matter. Hope gets candid with us about everything from hashtags and following counts to AEO and Podcasts. You won't wanna miss this one!

Learn more about Stratus Estate Buyers: stratusestatebuyers.com

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Mike sits down with retail jeweler and podcaster Andy Koehn to talk about why many men feel lost in jewelry stores and what actually helps them buy an engagement ring with confidence. We get into meaning over metrics, why the story matters more than the 4 Cs, and how a simple book became an unexpectedly powerful tool for earning trust and closing sales. 

Learn more about Stratus Estate Buyers: stratusestatebuyers.com

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